§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been paid in compensation to farmers for livestock losses caused by low flying military aircraft in(a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales in each year since 1994. [170874]
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§ Mr. CaplinThe information is not held in the format requested, but the value of compensation paid (inclusive of legal costs) in relation to livestock losses caused by low flying military aircraft in England, Scotland and Wales for each financial year since 1994 is as follows:
£ Amount paid 1993–4 337,569 1994–5 259,814 1995–6 261,328 1996–7 169,092 1997–8 169,867 1998–9 401,326 1999–2000 220,112 2000–1 491,663 2001–2 272,334 2002–3 236,453 2003–4 330,082
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training sorties have been undertaken within the mid-Wales military tactical training area by military aircraft flying below 250 feet in each year since 1994 for which figures are available. [170875]
§ Mr. CaplinThe amount of military low flying that takes place in the United Kingdom is better expressed in hours rather than by number of sorties, which can vary significantly from minutes to several hours. The information is only available for the last four training years, as previously the data was compiled in a different manner. The figures for the training year 2003–04 are due to be published in the next statement on the pattern of military low flying that will be available to the House in Summer 2004.
The following information reflects the actual amount of operational low flying carried out within 7T, the tactical training area in mid-Wales. These statistics are consistent with the information provided annually in the statement on the pattern of military low flying.
Training year
- 1999–2000—38 hours 8 minutes
- 2000–01—25 hours 21 minutes
- 2001–02—30 hours 23 minutes
- 2002–03—33 hours 12 minutes
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) representations and (b) complaints have been received by the (i) RAF and (ii) Department about low flying military aircraft in (A) England, (B) Scotland and (C) Wales in each year since 1994. [170876]
§ Mr. CaplinIn maintaining our records we do not differentiate between representations and complaints; all complaints, whether received centrally or at individual establishments are recorded on a central database and it is not possible to distinguish between them. Detailed records are only retained for three years; it is therefore not possible to provide the information requested for earlier years.
The number of complaints received based on information provided by the complainant for (A) England, (B) Scotland, (C) Wales regarding military low flying over the last three training years are outlined in the table.
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2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 England 3,003 3,194 3,248 Scotland 759 687 831 Wales 496 454 488 Isle of Man 0 1 1 No county provided 11 13 11 Total 4,269 4,349 4,579